The Alabama Legislature passed a bill to make it legal to use and distribute test strips that detect the presence of fentanyl in other drugs in an effort to prevent overdoses. Fentanyl is an addictive opioid far more potent than heroin that is often added to illegal street drugs. The Jefferson
A bill expanding the services and procedures optometrists are allowed to provide in Alabama passed the Senate last week. If it becomes law, the Alabama Board of Optometry would be the sole authority regulating the expansion of certain practices and procedures for optometrists. It would also require optometrists providing these procedures to meet certain training benchmarks. Senator Del Marsh, R-Anniston,
Alabama lawmakers gave final approval to a bill to repeal the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, an idea proposed for about the last 10 years. Gov. Ivey immediately signed the legislation into law, which takes effect in January 2023. The House and Senate voted mostly along party
Governor Kay Ivey has awarded $10 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief funding to establish grants for volunteer fire departments. The grant program was established from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund with dollars received under the state’s portion of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. For providers that meet eligibility
The Alabama Innovation Corporation board of directors recently held its first meeting. Established through legislation signed by Governor Kay Ivey, the Alabama Innovation Corporation is charged with implementing policies designed to make Alabama a hub for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The board was officially seated in December and is chaired by
Rep. David Wheeler, R-Vestavia Hills, has died at age 72. Rep. Wheeler won election in Jefferson County in 2018 and was unopposed for re-nomination in the Republican primary in this historically Republican district. A long-time official in the Jefferson County Republican Party, he was an accountant by training who worked for
House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter applauded a recent decision by Birmingham organizers and officials of The World Games. The World Games 2022 Organizing Committee announced that it had banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the upcoming July competitions due to the nations’ unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine. According to
Last week, it sure felt like spring had arrived, and while the season may “officially” be a few weeks off, Alabama’s Republican legislators had some spring in their steps after Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield outlined his party’s major accomplishments so far. The legislature’s 2022 regular session has hit the halfway mark, and, according to
@JeffAMartin1 Feb 25 With no intention to follow in my father’s journalism footsteps, today I was elected President of the APA’s – Journalism Foundation. The same honor bestowed on Dad 14 years ago. I imagine he was looking down today with a little bit of pride. I know I was
Tuesday, 16th day of regular session: The House Local Legislation Committee approved two bills of local application only, affecting the City of Jackson in Clarke County and the Choctaw County Commission. The House passed several bills, including bills to require local boards of education to provide feminine hygiene products in women’s restrooms of certain schools at no
